Telescope



Dec. 6, 1927. l 1,651,412

Y R. w. PORTER TELESCOPE Filed sept. 7, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 1 mmw W il Il g a Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,412

, R. W. PORTER TELESCOPE Filed Sept. 7, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 luz/62 or mwwgi- Patented Dec. 6v, 1927. i l E RussELL w. PORTER, or SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT.

TELESCOPE.

Application filed September `This invention relates to telescopes and has for its object to produce a construction which may be produced at a sufliciently small price to bring `it within the reach of lthe ama-teur observer,but which will be of sufeiently high grade to enable accurate observationsto be made.`

Itfurther provides a construction susceptible of ornate treatment so as to be an em- 1o bellishment to the grounds of the owner, the

rmajor portion thereof being intended to remain out of doors while the more delicate optical features may be removed when not being used for protection from the weather and for safe keeping.v

For a more complete understanding of this invention, together with further objects and advantageous details and' combinations of. parts, Yreference may be had to the, accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of the telescope which is shown supported at the upper end of a pier of masonry, the telescope being directed to the zenith.

Figure 2 is an yenlarged sectional detail of the ocular and lower end of 'the'telescope tube and its support.

Figure 3 is afragmentary elevation partly in section, the section being taken on the 3U line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a central vertical section taken through the lower portion of the telescope mounting.

' Figure 5 is an elevation of a portion of this mounting.

Referring first to Figures 4 and 5, at 1 is indicated a pier, or other suitable support, preferably of masonry or concrete, which supports a. superstructure carrying the telescope.` The basef'o-r pier 1 carries at its top a base cap plate`2 whichmay rest thereon or be made "fast thereto in any suitable manner. The cap plate 2, as shown, is provided with a circular upstanding flange 3 surrounding a centrally depressed portion or recess 4 having as its base a transverse web 5. Seated on the flange 3 is a shell 6 formed in the shape of a segment of a sphere. In order tov provide a firm bearing for the shell on the flange, the lower face of this shell has preferably formed thereon three spaced ribs 7, these ribs being along arcs radiating from each other at angles of A120". These ribs bear on the edge of the flange and furnish a three peint support for the shell 6, the shell 7, 1922. Serial N0. 586,740,

being capable of beingvadjusted universally y relative to the base. For the purpose of fixing Y this shell in any adjusted position, clamping means are provided. This means as shown comprises a circular clamping plate 10 having its outer edge formed to engage three internal radiating ribs 11 similarV to the ribs 7 on the concave side of the shell'6, these ribs also forming a three point contact for the clamping plate 10 thereon. This plate 10 is held firmly against the ribs 11 by means of an anchoring bolt 12 having its lower end fixed or anchored in the pier or base 1 as at 13, and extending through a hollow boss 14 of the web 5, through a comparatively large aperture 15 in the shell 7, through a perforation 16 in the plate 10,v and having threaded at its upper end a nut 17.

Carried by the shell 6 is a substantially bell-shaped member 20. The small end of this member is journaled at 21 in the shell 6 about an axis which by proper adjustment ofthe shell relative to the base may be made a polar axis. The large end of the bell terminates in an outwardly directed flange 22 and immediately beneath this flange is formed a track 23. The shell 6 has journaled thereon a pair of rollers 24 on which the track 23 bears so as to support the large end yof the bell member so that its longitudinal axis coincides with that of the pivot 21 which serves as the polar axis of the telescope.

One portion of the bell member 20 is cut away as shown at 25 for the passage of an arm 26 upstanding from a support 27. This 'support 27 is formed as the segment of ak sphere and is provided with trunnions 28 journaled in bearing brackets 29 made fast to the flange 22 of the bell shaped member. These brackets are so positioned that the pivotal axis of the support 27 is at right angles to the polar axis and serves as the declination axis of the telescope. The brackets 29 are each formed with a resilient portion 30 through which passesa screw 31 threaded into the base portion of the bracket. By tightening these screws the trunnions 28 may be clamped firmly against rotation within these brackets. The support 27 is pivoted considerably above its center of gravity by means of the trunnions so that its lower portion furnishes a counterbalance for thetlescope proper which .is Carried by' the1 26 se that the whole' mechanism; iellldg the telescope assembly and the supports there tor, are in equipune. For the same purpose the braeltele Eil are positioned slightly above the axi l oit' the pivot 2l, thin allowing for the losa ol' weight due to the eut outportion ofE the bell shaped member.

The flange 22 ol the bell ahaped member is provided ou its upper l'aee with an hour circle havingr grmluations as Shown 'for eaeh ten minutes, and rooperating with `thinA hour eirele is a pointer fixed to the edge of the shell 6 and pointingr toward thehour eirele. Similarly the Support 27 is provided With a eireumferfmtial rib 23o 1 raduated in degreen and minutes and subdivided an finel r as reqnired with which roaete an index piece ill' fixed to the hour eirele.

The teleeeolie proper eomprir a tube 40 luttele tast at its lower end in the upper end oit the arm f'. This tube earriea an objective il at` its upper end. In the optieal axia of this objectivej and ai` shown carried by a portion ot' the arm QG, is fixed a diagonal or totally reflecting prism indicated at l2 andv in operative relation to this diagonal or prism an ocularindirated at il-l. This ocular. as shown, is fixed to the outer end ott a substantially horizontal arm 43", the inner end of which is formed an a hub dfi which carries the diagonal or prism between ears 45 lnojeetinpr iffrom the lower face thereof. The upper fare of the hub 44e is provided with an upwardly extending bose lf3 having a eireumferential groove 47 therein. This boss is jonrnaled Within a circular opening 48 beneath the lower end of the tube et() in the arm Q6, and is removably held there in with Capability of rotation relative to the arm 26 by means of a set Sei-ew eti) threaded in the arm 2G and bearing at` its inner end within the `nfroove 4T. By this means the ocular and the diagonal or prism may be swung about the optical axis of the objective to any position moet eonvenient for the observer. i

By this eonetruetion above outlined the gravity axle oi the telescope :falls within the three point support between the bell shaped member and the shell which is 'lorn'iedby the pivot or journal Q1 and the. rollers 24 and it also passes within the three pointe of eupport between the ribs 7 and the points 3 of the bane cap. The mounting, therefore, entirely stable and the teleseope is equipoised in position for adjustment about the polar o!" declination axee. The eonstruetion as shown permits a range of latitude from 25@ from the equator to o north or south;

In use, the telescope set tor the angle of declination t'or lthe partienlar celestial object to be observed, this being;r deterniined from any ephermeria or nautieal almauae and is clamped against movement about that axis by means of the Screws 31. The teleaeope may then be turned about the polar axis to the required hour anale position by rotating' either ol the rollers; "l, which are provided with finner-engageable heads iff-t), by u'hieli artion aleo the diurnal motion of the `earth may be compensated 'for eo as to maintain the objeet viewed Within the field olf the teleiieope.

lll'hen the observer is not using the instrun ment the ol'ijeefive and the arm 43 carrying the orular and the prism or diagonal may be removed, the remainingr construction be ine' preferably 'formed of? material such as bronze which is not adversely affected by the weather. t i

The bell shaped member i2() maybe provided with openings through its sides,` as shown` in order 'to permit the free passage ol water theretrom. and the space formed within the flange above the web 5 may oommnnieate through a channel 50` to the outer .tace of the cap, thus permitting Water to drain therefrom.

Havingv thus described an embodiment of this invention it Should be evident that many changea and modilieations might be made therein without departing from its spirit or .aeope an defined by the appended elanns.

l eiaim: p

l. fl u a device of the (flans described, a base having `an upetanding llange, a member Seated mrsaid flange with capability of universal turningr movement relative thereto, means to) elampingsaid member to said base, an element pivoted to ,Maid member', and a telescope earriml by said elen'ient. y

ln a device of the class described, a

bane having;r an upstandinf.;` circular flange, a

shell 'formed as the segment of a sphere having; three spaced ribs on the inner and outer lares thereof?. the ribs on the outer 'fare bearinoon said flange, a eireular plate bearin on the ribson the inner face of Said Shel and Clampingmeans engaging the top face oit .eaid plate extendingi through an aperture in said shell and anehored in Said base.

3. A device of the class deseril'ied `eomprieing a base having an upetanding circular tlang'e, a shell, formed as the Segment ol" a sphere and having its outer faee resting on said flange. means for clamping said ehell against said flange, a bell Shaped member having its small end ji'iurnaled in said shell and its large end rotatably carried thereby, and a telescope pivoted to said member.

et. A device of the clase deserilied comprisingl a euliport, a member Carried by Said sup port with it.: renter of `erravity thereabove and with its `o'ravity axis lying Within its liearinglr on Said Support to rotate on a polar arie, and a refraeting telescope assembly piv a declination arie to Said member.

A devlee ot the ela-ee deaeribed eomoted at nnbetantially ita renter of gravity on i: i

prising va base having anupstanding circular flange, a shell formed as a segment of a ksphere supported concave side up on said flange, a bell shaped member journaledin said shell, a segment of a sphere journaled above its center of gravity in said member, an arm upstanding from said segmentand passing through anopeniiig in said member, and a telescope tube carried by said arm.

6. A device of the class described comprising a base having an upstanding circular flange, a shell formed as a segment of a sphere supported concave side up on said flange, a bell shaped member journaled in said shell ou a polar axis, a segment of a sphere journaled above its center of gravity in said Vmember about a declination axis, an arm upstanding from said segment and passing through an opening in said member, and a telescope tube carried by said arm.

7. A device of the class described comprising a base having an upstanding circular flange, a shell formedv as a segment of a sphere supported concave side up on said flange, a bell shaped member journaled in said shell on a polar axis, a segment of a Vsphere journaled above its center of gravity in said member about a declination axis, an arm upstanding from said segment and passing through an opening in said member, and a telescope carried by said arm and counter-- balanced by said segment about the declination axis so as to be equipoised.

8. A device of the class described comprisinga base having an upstanding circular flange, a shell formed as a segment of a sphere supported concave side up on said flange, a member journaled in said shell on a polar axis and provided with an hour circle, a pointer fixed to said shell in cooperative relation to said houi circle, and a telescope pivoted to said member on. a declination axis.

9. A device. of the class described coinprising a base having an upstanding circular flange, a shell formed as a segment of a spheresupported concave side up on said flange, a. member journaled in said shell on a polar axis, and a telescope pivoted to said member on a declination axis, said telescope being equipoised with its within said circular flange.

10. A device of thel class described comprising a base, a shell formed as a segment of ,a sphere adjustably supported concave side up at threespaced points from said base, a member engaging said segment at three spaced points for clamping said shell in position, a member journaled in said shell on a polar axis, anda telescope jouriialed on said member on a declination axis, the

gravity axis of said telescope passing Within the three points of support for said shell.

1l. A device ofthe class described comprising a base, a shell formed as a segment gravity axis lying sphere seated on said base convex side down,

of 4a sphere Supported concave side `up on said base, al bell shaped'member having its 'small or thrust end journaledin said shell von an inclined axis, a plurality of radial rollers journaled in said shell and on Which the large end of said member rests, a support journaled in said member on an axis kperpendicular to said inclined axis, and a and positioned to receive rays from said y prism, the optical axis of said ocular being at an angle to the optical axis of said'objective.

13. A device of the class described coinprising a telescope tube, an objectiveat one end of said tube, an ocular rotatable relative to said tube about the optical axis of .said obj ective and aiigularly disposed relative thereto, and means` for deflecting the light rays from said objective to said ocular in all of the angular positions of said ocular.

14. A device of the class described comprising a support, a telescope tube having one end fixed to said support, an objective at the other end of said tube, an arm carried by said support and rotatable about the optical axis of said objective, an ocular carried by said arm and having its axis radial to the axis of said objective, and means for defiecting the rays of light from said objective to said ocular in all the angular positions of said ocular.

15. A device of the class described com-1 prising a support, a telescope tube having one end fixed to said support, an objective at the opposite end of said tube, an arm carried by said support and rotatable about the optical axis of said objective, an ocular carried by said arm, means for dellecting the rays of light from said objective to said ocular, and means for carrying said support for movement about a polar and declination axis.

16. In a device of the class described, a base, a Vshell formed as the segment of a.

base, a membr carried by Suid lmsv nml buv ille; axis of said lube for clrecllllg light rays lng n` supporting arm, nllelscop ltube lmvfrom said objeclxe lusaull ocular in :lll mll0 ing;` one mul` l'xed to mld anu, :1u objective lu gulzur posliuns tllox'uuf. about the :Lxsul Suid rbb opposite und 0l said tube, au lmulur uvm tube. b swiveled lo Suid, supporting arm :md extcnd- In testimony whereof I have allxcxl my ing at an angle lo said tube, :1u oulzn' cau.'- signal-ure.

riad at t'lle outer @ull of s-llll ocular arm, and

a diagonal carried by said ocular arm n .RUSSELL TJPORTEIL 

